Absence makes Crabtree’s suitors grow fonder

The Raiders are probably more likely to select Michael Crabtree in absence of a recent 40-yard dash time, rather than less likely.

With Crabtree recovering from stress fracture surgery and cleared medically, he can be as fast as they want him to be.

That’s something you discover while visiting Pro Days and the combine, anyway. Teams have their own scouts take times at these events, and wonder of wonders, the player a scout likes often comes away with the requisite time.

The Cleveland Browns may hold the key to whether we’ll find out the Raiders’ true feelings about Crabtree. There is talk of dealing either Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn, or both, with the Browns interested in both Crabtree and USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Once Crabtree is gone, only two receivers would probably merit the No. 7 pick _ Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin and Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey. The latter is a stretch, but veteran Al Davis watchers feel it’s a possibility because of his blistering combine time as well as the best height-weight-speed numbers at his position.

If the Browns take Crabtree, the only thing for certain is the Raiders will get exactly who they wanted all along at No. 7 _ regardless of whose name is called.

Why are you guys talking about taking a line backer? That is the least of the of the needs on defense , D-linemen and secondary help are the weakest links on defense not line backer. The 7th pick is not worthy of any of the talent available unless we trade it for a starter which I don’t see happening. I would even trade out of the first just to get as many pick as we could to fill the holes.

Drafting at seven is like paying big money for a free agent that turned out to be nonproductive like we saw last year.

Raider Dell

Raider O

I will disagree with you one comment about DT are deep in this years draft. Most scouts have said this year’s draft is DT challenged. In fact Mayock grades this years players at the DT position as a D+.

My point to you is where would Raji be compared to last year as a DT, would he be better than Sedrick Ellis, Glen Dorsey. I think not, he may be third or fourth compared to last years DT class.

The draft this year has quality players but none that jump out and say I got to have him, that’s why this year draft is so unpredictable, and players can go in many different spots.

Raider Dell

Lynn

Who would you draft to have that player as the player who wouldn’t be a draft bust in your opinion.

I don’t see the Browns drafting for offense with their first pick. 17 sacks last year; second worst in the league behind KC, and Mangini’s a defensive guy.

People keep saying that they’ll take Crabtree at 5 if they trade Braylon Edwards, but part of their asking price for Edwards is a starting WR, so you know they’re not wanting to use that first pick on a wideout.

There will be hell to pay in Cleveland if they don’t go defense. If they go offense at all they’d be more likely to go with Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno; Jamaal Anderson is their best back and he’s not a young man anymore.

NJRaiderfan

my ultimate draft.

trade down to get into middle of 1st round and aquire another 2nd or 3rd round pick.

It all starts upfront. Our offensive and defnsive lines are the weakest in the league. Even with Gruden our lines were nothing to write home abour. Gannon covered up a lot of warts.

RaidersMom

6 more days!!!

Tick, tick, tick…….

Mad Road Dog

Yes Jerry, those draft picks, Crabtree, Hayes and Maclin would rival the Huff pick because they will never reach their potential with our mediocre “O” line in front of a QB in JR whose work ethic was called out by Cable. The reason the Raiders have been bad for a very long time is the bad drafting and signing of free agents.

There is still only mediocre talent on the “O” line, even with the new additions and remains the single reason for the last six losing seasons. The ZBS should not be a panacea for talent as the running game is the most important aspect of the offense. The proverbial war is won in the trenches first. KC gets it as they draft what the Raiders should have had last year, a starting LT and DT. They bring in a proven QB in Matt Cassell instead of trying to develope a rookie QB behind a mediocre “O” line. I like JR but the Raiders will never get back to the playoffs until they build a dominant lines to support the players behind them. The Raiders already have decent receivers but they too will never reach their potential with the mediocre “O” line.

fggcisco

The raiders dont have enough draft choices to make imediate impact. They should just focus on ol or defense. Just accept the fact that this will be another 4-12 5-11, the only consolation is the broncos will be there also. The only thing is the Donkeys have 9 picks with 2 #1s this year and the same next year.Al ruined this franchise. The only hope is to bring in Marty, the guy that used to coach in Pittsburgh or make friends again with Shanny. Although nobody worth anything will coach here.

vchanpe

I like Crabtree. If we don’t get Crabtree, then we should get an blue chip OT to help McFadden, J Russell, & M Bush. If they are not available, a blue chip DT to stop the run will help. Too many busts are related to drug use, overweight and lack of discipline. These are mental deficiencies. Injuries can heal but you cannot play in the NFL with a mental deficiency. The Raiders in the 70’s got away with this because their talent made up for it. They can’t do it now so a combination of a good mindset and talent is the way to go.

DKnight007

The thing that I am amazed about is Seattle MAY take Sanchez at 4 and pay him #4 money to basically sit for two years?? Doesn’t make sense…..Seattle needs O-Line and LB help.

I also keep hearing that the Browns may take Crabtree at 5?? They need DEFENSIVE help badly….especially in that rough division they are in and they need an explosive RB with vision ahead of a WR.

DKnight007

If Crabtree and A Smith are gone….the Raiders need to trade down.

DKnight007

edward teach Says:
April 18th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I don’t see the Browns drafting for offense with their first pick. 17 sacks last year; second worst in the league behind KC, and Mangini’s a defensive guy.

People keep saying that they’ll take Crabtree at 5 if they trade Braylon Edwards, but part of their asking price for Edwards is a starting WR, so you know they’re not wanting to use that first pick on a wideout.

There will be hell to pay in Cleveland if they don’t go defense. If they go offense at all they’d be more likely to go with Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno; Jamaal Anderson is their best back and he’s not a young man anymore.

^^^^^^
I have been saying the samething about the Browns. They need defensive help BADLY and they need a RB more than WR!